If you have an aging parent, you may have been worried about what your options are if they are unable to care for themselves. Whether your parent is struggling with home maintenance, personal hygiene, medication management, or simply moving around, you can find help in a senior living community that offers assisted living. Knowing when your parent needs assisted living is important so you recognize the signs that your loved one is in need of a little help.

Here are some signals to look for that can indicate that it may be time to start looking at assisted living communities for an elderly parent. And if you are in need of assisted living services, reach out to Discovery Village At Deerwood to learn more about our senior living community.

Tasks Are No Longer Easy to Accomplish

If you notice your parent is not able to follow through with simple tasks in the same way that they had before, they may be struggling with physical and/or mental barriers making it difficult for them. An elderly person’s body will often deteriorate as they age, making it harder for them to engage in strenuous activities without injuring themselves. Even tasks that used to be simple, like cleaning or cooking, might have become difficult over time. This is a true risk for many aging people, and one of the main reasons why children place their parents in assisted living communities.

If you have asked yourself when does my parent need assisted living, and you have witnessed them having trouble with easy tasks, this is an indication that assistance would definitely be beneficial to them.

Memory Difficulties Become More and More Noticeable

When someone ages, they may start to experience times when their memory is not up to par. They might forget someone’s name or a particular item they were going to pick up at the supermarket. These are small indications of a potential problem. When someone starts forgetting their address, how to get home while behind the wheel, or whether they took their medication already or not, that is when true hazards occur.

Slight memory loss usually escalates in intensity over time. If you do notice a few incidents of forgetfulness, keep it on your radar to be alert about any escalation as this would indicate the need for assistance for your parent. Many senior living communities offer memory care programs alongside assisted living services.

Lack of Socializing Requires Some Intervention

Sometimes, older people have trouble making connections with others, especially if they live in an area where they have not yet had a chance to meet new people. If your parent had recently lost friends due to death or moving, they are most likely depressed about this situation. It is important to be able to converse with others.

If your parent is living alone and has no network of people to help them or talk with them, the question of when does my parent need assisted living may have been answered. In a senior living community, residents have numerous opportunities to socialize with their neighbors.

At Discovery Village At Deerwood, we focus upon the lifestyles of our clients and how to ensure that they remain active and engaged in relationships with others. We are considered a resort-like community, and we offer a variety of amenities and programs for our guests including: